Laterally acting guide for woodworking shapers



Jan. 18, 1955 R. E. STARNES 2,699,804

LATE-RALLY ACTING GUIDE FOR WOODWORKING SHAPERS Filed Jan. 14, 1954 Roy E. .Sfames JNVENTOR.

United States Patent O LATERALLY ACTING GUIDE FOR WOODWORKING SHAPERS Ray E. Starnes, Mitchell, S. Dak. Application January 14, 1954, Serial No. 403,997

4 Claims. (Cl. 144-253) This invention relates to a guide and more specifically provides a device for attachment to a machine having a rotating cutting tool and a fence member for holding the work against as the cutter engages the work.

An object of this invention is to provide a guide which forms a resilient guide rail for guiding work over a rotating cutting tool and maintaining the work against a stationery fence.

Another object is to provide a guide for attachment to machines having a rotating cutting element such as shapers, circular saws, sanders, or the like which resiliently retains the work in engagement with the cutting tool.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a guide which is simple in construction, easily attached and detached from the machine, easy to operate in conjunction with the machine, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the guide of the present invention installed on a shaper;

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical section taken substantially along section line 2--2 of Figure 1 showing the relationship of the various elements of this invention; and

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the guide per se.

Referring now specifically to the drawings it will be seen that the numeral generally designates the guide of this invention for attachment to a shaper 12 having a working table 14, a rotating cutter 16 projecting thereabove, a rigid fence 18 extending along the table 14 and the usual rotating spindle 20 for supporting and rotating the cutting tool 16. The guide 10 includes a right angle plate having a vertical leg 22 and a horizontal leg 24 which is positioned on the upper surface of the table 14 and detachably secured thereto by a pair of C-clamps 26 which engage the upper surface of the horizontal plate 24 and the under surface of the table 14 for clamping the horizontal leg 24 to the table 14. Extending transversely of the horizontal leg 24 in the under surface thereof is a recessed portion 28 for slidably receiving a tubular rectangular bar 30 which is generally elongated and proiects beyond the vertical leg 22. At the remote end of the bar 30 is secured a right angular lug 32 which is pivotally secured to the end of the bar 30 by a suitable fastening means such as the rivet 34. The upper end of the right angular lug 32 is secured to one surface of an elongated guard rail 36 which is generally in parallel relation to the fence member 18 and in opposition to the cutting tool 16. The end portions of the guide rail 36 are flared as indicated by the numeral 38 and are directed towards the vertical leg 22 for forming an entrance way for a piece of wood or the like which represents the material to be worked on by the cutting tool 16. A bolt 40 is secured to each end of the guide rail 36 and projects therefrom and is slidably received in suitable enlarged apertures 42 in the vertical plate 22. The ends of the bolt 44 which extend through the plate 22 are threaded as indicated by the numeral 44 and receive nuts 46 thereon for retaining the bolts 40 in assembled relation on the plate 22. A compression coil spring 48 surrounds the shank of the bolt 40 and is positioned between the guide rail and the vertical plate 22 thereby urging the guide rail 36 away from the plate 22 and towards the cutting tool 16 and the fence 18.

The operation of the device will be readily understood,

Patented Jan. 18, 1955 The construction of the shaper 12 is that found in conventional installations and the guide 10 is attached to the table 14 by the use of the clamps 26 with the guide rail 36 in spaced relation to the fence for receiving the work 39. As the work 39 is pushed between the guide rail 36 and the fence 18, the flared end portion 38 forms an entrance way for the Work 39 wherein the work 39 may be easily pushed over the cutting tool 16. The springs 48 resiliently hold the guide rail 36 against the work 39 and retains the work 39 solidly against the fence 18 thereby assuring that the cutting tool 16 will make a similar out throughout the longitudinal length of the work 39. Obviously, the various components of this invention may be constructed of readily obtainable material thereby enhancing the economic feasibility of the invention.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A guide for attachment to a cutting machine having a cutting tool comprising a right angle mounting plate having a longitudinally elongated horizontal and vertical leg, said horizontal leg having a transverse recess in the under surface thereof, a bar slidably received in said recess, a guide rail mounted on said bar in opposed relation to the cutting tool, and resilient means disposed between the guide rail and vertical leg of the plate for urging the guide rail towards the cutting tool.

2. A guide for attachment to a cutting machine having a cutting tool comprising a right angle mounting plate having a longitudinally elongated horizontal and vertical leg, said horizontal leg having a transverse recess in the under surface thereof, a bar slidably received in said recess, a guide rail mounted on said bar in opposed relation to the cutting tool, and resilient means disposed between the guide rail and vertical leg of the plate for urging the guide rail towards the cutting tool, said guide rail being pivotally mounted on said bar for movement about a vertical axis, and a pair of bolts: having threaded ends rigidly attached to the guide rail and projecting through enlarged openings in the vertical leg of the plate for guiding and limiting the movement of the guide rail.

3. A guide for attachment to a cutting machine having a cutting tool comprising a right angle mounting plate having a longitudinally elongated horizontal and vertical leg, said horizontal leg having a transverse recess in the under surface thereof, a bar slidably received in said recess, a guide rail mounted on said bar in opposed relation to the cutting tool, and resilient means disposed between the guide rail and vertical leg of the plate for urging the guide rail towards the cutting tool, said guide rail having end portions curved towards said mounting plate thereby providing an entrance for material to be shaped.

4. A guide for attachment to a cutting machine having a cutting tool comprising a right angle mounting plate having a longtiudinally elongated horizontal and vertical leg, said horizontal leg having a transverse recess in the under surface thereof, a bar slidably received in said recess, a guide rail mounted on said bar in opposed relation to the cutting tool, and resilient means disposed between the guide rail and vertical leg of the plate for urging the guide rail towards the cutting tool, said resilient means including coil springs and said guide rail being pivotally mounted on said bar thereby providing an access to the cutting tool.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 481,983 Thom Sept. 6, 1892 2,525,894 Graham Oct. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 58,017 Germany Aug. 4, 1891 

